Actuation system for an internal backup ring assembly

摘要

An actuation system for a clamping assembly for use in a pipe clamping apparatus, including a shaft and an actuator defining an actuator chamber having a peripheral chamber wall. The actuator is movably mounted about the shaft such that the shaft extends through the actuator chamber and the actuator is longitudinally reciprocable thereon. A piston is fixedly mounted about the shaft and positioned within the actuator chamber. The piston has first and second sides and an outer perimeter sealingly engaging the peripheral chamber wall to create first and second chambers such that the actuator reciprocates along the shaft in response to a differential force applied within the first and second chambers. The clamping assembly is associated with the actuator such that reciprocation of the actuator along the shaft causes the clamping assembly to move radially relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft.